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Watch: John Grant - “Down Here” Video

Grey Tickles, Black Pressure Out Now via Partisan

Dec 09, 2015By Christopher Roberts

John Grant released his latest album, Grey Tickles, Black Pressure, back in October via Partisan in the U.S. (and Bella Union in the U.K.). Now he has shared a video for "Down Here." It's about a teenage boy who longs to join a synchronized swim team. Watch it below.

Lisa Gunning directed the clip and had this to say about it in a press release: "I'd been wanting to make a video for John for a long time so when he sent me 'Down Here' it set off a number of things in my mind. I really listened to the track in minute detail, with all its twists and turns and out popped the [final] idea. The humor and the warm emotional twist of it just seemed to click with the tone of the music somehow. John was incredibly trusting and respectful and just let me get on with it. [Lead actor] Fraser [Buchanan] really stood out, something about his gentleness and his complete commitment to the idea. He's with the Ballet Rambert so he's physically strong and great at remembering the synchro moves. On retrospect I don't think we would have been able to make the video work without his experience as a dancer. Although it was never scripted, all the beautiful movement he did in the bedroom ended up being my favorite thing about the video."

Grey Tickles, Black Pressure features guest appearances from Amanda Palmer, Tracy Thorn, and former Banshees drummer Budgie. It's the follow-up to 2013's widely acclaimed Pale Green Ghosts and was produced by John Congleton (St. Vincent, Angel Olsen). Check out the video below. Also be sure to read our in-depth 2013 article on Grant, one of the most honest and personal interviews we've ever done. And pick up Under the Radar's current print issue to read a new interview with Grant.